No. 26. MUREX. 

 Rock Shell. Inhabitant a Limax. 



Shell inequivalve, spiral, rough, with membranaceous sutures, aperture oval, 

 ending in an entire, straight, or slightly ascending r canal. In the last edition 

 of the Systema Naturae, 193 species are described. 



The most prominent character which distinguishes the species of this genus 

 from those of the two preceding genera, consists in the beak being almost in- 

 variably straight and very much produced, sometimes turning a little upwards. 



The Murices are shells of irregular form, arising from their surfaces being 

 usually armed with spines, knobs, striae, or foliations. The shells of the first 

 division have the beak considerably produced, and are distinguished from those 

 of the second, by the spines with which their surfaces are armed. The most 

 remarkable species is the M. Tribulus, of which there are two varieties; the 

 more common being called the Thorny Woodcock, and the rarer, Venus 

 Comb. The latter is one of the most elegant shells of the genus. When 

 perfect, its exterior is most beautifully adorned with regular rows of thin and 

 delicate spines. 



Inhabitants of the ocean, they are usually found upon rocky shores, within 

 the influx of the tide. Some few burrow in the sand. Their shells are 

 mostly rugged, strong and heavy; from which circumstances, they have ob- 

 tained the name of Rock shells. The Purpurea of the ancients belong to 

 this genus. From these shells, or rather from their inhabitants, is furnished 

 the famous Tyrian purple. (See Ezekiel xxvii. 7, 16, &c.) A single vein, 

 situated near the head of the fish, contains this beauteous coloring liquor. 



DIVISION I. Shell spinous, with a produced beak. 

 Family 1st. With three varices. 



Scientific name. Locality. Scientific name. Locality. 



Tribulus, Asiatic Sea. Motacilla, East Indian Sea. 



Scolopax, Red Sea. 



